Readers thanks Councilman Craig Gartman and express disgust over
the billions wasted on public transportation
Big Thanks to Our Councilman for Getting the Job Done
Dear Editor,
I was wondering if the Gilroy Dispatch could summit a CHEERS for Councilman Craig Gartman?
I just want everyone to know that that Gilroy Little League Girls Majors All Stars (World Series Teams) from the last three years wants to give out a special THANKS to Councilman Craig Gartman for putting together a parade for the girls.
I called him from Oregon the last two years and asked him if he could help us out and put a little something together for the girls, and like magic we got back on Thursday (Aug.16 2007) and the parade , stage, police escort and fans where all out there for girls which is great.
THANK YOU Craig Gartman we the parents, fans and Gilroy really appreciated all you have done for us the last three years
George L. Sandoval, Gilroy
Editor’s Note: We’d be happy to join in with a CHEERS. The girls and coaches have done a wonderful job, and it’s great a city official is willing to roll up his sleeves and do the grunt work necessary in order to celebrate those achievements in a community-minded way.
What to Do About the Billions Wasted on Public Transportation?
Dear Editor,
In Minneapolis the newspaper is questioning transport spending priorities. About time.
We’ve been saying that the American Public Transit Association, one of whose top promoters Hon. Rod Diridon will be in Gilroy to promote the latest, biggest boondoggle Bullet Train, is so corrupting transport policy that it’s become insane.
We spend more than 40 percent of transport dollars from all levels of government to move about 2 percent of annual passenger trips in the United States, excluding New York City. I’ve shared the data with readers before. In Minneapolis they decided to build light rail, spending zillions, when it moves less people than the elevators in their city’s buildings do. And our leaders are making these insane decisions (with APTA and public sector union and transit agency employees, i.e., pork beneficiaries) all over the country.
We do it here, too. The Santa Clara County Grand Jury told the Valley Transportation Authority that it is guilty of numerous sins, not the least of which is abuse of taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars on pork projects. What happened? VTA stonewalled the Grand Jury. What are we going to do about it?
Joe Thompson, Gilroy
